This is the tenth edition of our quarterly Council newsletter (Cylchlythyr Gwanwyn 2026). This edition covers our highlights from January to March 2026, and has some save-the-dates for our upcoming events.
Our newsletters are published on our website and social media, and physical copies are displayed throughout the area on noticeboards, inside shops and in community centres.
UK Town of Culture 2028
We recently submitted our Expression of Interest in the new UK Town of Culture competition! This is the first stage of the contest, and we hope to hear back soon.
Grants awarded
We awarded £8,685 of grant funding to 7 organisations from January to March, including Aneurin Leisure, Abertillery Piranhas and Friends of Bethany.
Wales in Bloom 2026
We have submitted 20 different bids for the Wales in Bloom contest this year!
Our main category entries are Abertillery for ‘Town’ and Six Bells for ‘Village’. Our other entries cover areas like Grannies Wood, St. Paul’s Church, Six Bells Hotel and lots more.
Please get in touch if you would like to get involved with this project.
Ffrindiau Tyleri
We would like to thank Ffrindiau Tyleri for their amazing work providing community events over the years. We are planning to take on the running of Scare in the Square and Winterfest this year.
Roseheyworth School
In March, we held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the proposed closure of Roseheyworth School.
A member of Roseheyworth PTFA attended the meeting and provided information on the proposal. Our Youth Reps were also present to help provide a youth perspective on the topic.
Council agreed to object to the proposal, with concerns about the possible impacts on educational attainment, transport, class sizes, ALN students and quality of education.
We have written to Blaenau Gwent CBC objecting to this proposal.
Upcoming events
Six Bells Party – Parti Chwe Cloch
Saturday 16 May, 12pm to 7pm, Six Bells Park. Celebrating Welsh language and culture.
Dydd Sadwrn 16 Mai, 12-7yp, Parc Six Bells. Dathlu iaith a diwylliant Cymru.
Party in the Park
Saturday 13 June, 12pm to 7pm, Abertillery Park. A free fun day with live music, stalls and entertainment.
Viaduct Run – Ras Draphont
Sunday 19 July. 5 mile, 5k and Fun Run. Visit our website to enter!
Dydd Sul 19 Gorffennaf. 5 milltir, 5k a Ras Hwyl. Ewch i’n gwefan i fynd i mewn!
Llanhilleth Summer Fete
Saturday 1 August, Llanhilleth RFC. A family fun day funded by us and organised by Off The Streets!
Youth funding
In March, we met with Off The Streets and Blaenau Gwent Youth Service (Abertillery Detached Team) to find out how our funding was used in 2024-25. Find out more in our 25 March 2026 meeting minutes, on our website.
St. David’s Day Concert
Thank you to everyone who attended our St. David’s Day Concert in St. Michael’s Church this year. The concert featured lots of local performers, including the talented harpist Gwenan Dickenson.
We’d like to thank Blaenau Gwent CBC for providing Welsh Government funding for this event, which allowed us to provide complimentary Welsh Cakes, toilets and decorations.
This event raised £467.70 for the Chair’s Charity.
Chair’s Karaoke
Our Chair, Cllr Josh Rawcliffe, hosted another karaoke fundraiser in February. This event, held in The Mitre, raised £93.35 for the Chair’s Charity.
Contact us
Email: clerk@abertilleryandllanhilleth-wcc.gov.uk
You can also find all of our links on our Linktree.
Download the newsletter
Spring 2026 Newsletter – Cylchlythyr Gwanwyn 2026 (PDF, 4.4 MB)